Housing program up and running

Friday

Oct 11, 2013 at 7:53 PM

Schnell said the county's existing building inspectors will do estimates on each property to determine what work is needed. According to Schnell, the program is mainly funded with Michigan State Housing Development Authority monies. The amount the county receives is based on population; Cheboygan County is awarded $175,000 every two years for its housing loan program.

Shawna Jankoviak Staff Writer, @sjankoviakCDT @sjankoviak

By SHAWNA JANKOVIAKshawna@cheboygantribune.comCHEBOYGAN — Eligible applicants are being sought to take advantage of low-interest or deferred home improvement loans for low-income individuals or families.The Cheboygan County Home Improvement Loan Services program is starting up, with applicants now being accepted. Community Development Director Steve Schnell said there is already a waiting list of more than 30 people, but once paperwork is processed, projects will begin."This program is designed to improve the quality of life for residents of Cheboygan County by rehabilitating existing homes," Schnell said. "Funds used by homeowner rehab are offered at rates between 0 and 3 percent, and some homeowners could quality for deferred loans, depending on household income."Allowable repairs include plumbing installation and/or repair, energy saving measures such as insulation, screen/storm windows and doors, electrical wiring, structural support and foundation repair, roof repair or replacement, siding or porch replacement and alterations to provide greater accessibility for any handicapped occupant within the household.An applicant must be a Cheboygan County resident, either own or be in the the process of buying an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, have a home that is at least five years old, have lived in the home for at least one year, have current and sufficient homeowner's property insurance, have property taxes paid current and qualify under the income guidelines. Schnell said income guidelines are determined by the number of people in the household and change on an annual basis, so anyone interested in applying should call Schnell's office at 627-8489 for current numbers.He said a maximum income of $54,000 is allowed for an eligible eight-person household. A four-person household could earn $41,000 in income and be eligible, although the loan would be low-interest and wouldn't be deferred. The income level determines at what rate the loan must be repaid, or if it will be deferred.A deferred loan means the applicant would not be required to make a monthly loan payment; the loan becomes a lien put on the property until it is sold.Schnell said energy efficiency and weatherization will be important loan objectives, because a weatherization program offered by the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency currently has a two-year waiting list, making it difficult for area residents to get needed work done in a timely fashion.The loan program was assumed by the county after the Northeast Michigan Affordable Housing agency administered the program for two years, during which the county noted a limited number of loans being processed."The county is hoping that we can possibly increase the number of people to take advantage of it," Schnell said.Prior to NEMAH, the Cheboygan County Housing Department handled a similar program, until that department was eliminated."This loan program is very similar to those that were previously offered, except that we freed up some of the program guidelines so that we can do a little bit more to somebody's home," Schnell said.Schnell said the county's existing building inspectors will do estimates on each property to determine what work is needed. According to Schnell, the program is mainly funded with Michigan State Housing Development Authority monies. The amount the county receives is based on population; Cheboygan County is awarded $175,000 every two years for its housing loan program.Schnell encourages anyone interested to contact his office even though there is a waiting list, because additional funds might become available depending on how quickly the original allocation is used up."If we (as a county) run out of money (for this program) early enough, there is often an opportunity to get more," Schnell explained, saying other counties' unused funds could be reallocated. "We are just asking for names and phone numbers of applicants right now; we will call people as the money comes in."He said he hopes to have completed a few projects by the end of the year, particularly emergency projects that should be completed before the winter season.Contact Schnell's office at 627-8489 for more information or visit www.cheboygancounty.net/housing.